Merry Christmas! It’s Holiday Home Tour time. I’m so excited today to give you a peek into my new space and share some of the holiday magic I’ve whipped up.

This year I’m participating in Jennifer Rizzo’s Holiday Housewalk. I believe she has been hosting this for seven years. This is my second year on the tour, and I am thrilled to be back.

In case you’re not familiar with the Holiday Housewalk, here’s the nutshell version: During a single week, 30+ bloggers share their homes decorated for Christmas. This year’s tour started on Monday with Jennifer’s home and has been going on all week with visits to the homes of many other bloggers. The housewalk ends today with the homes of even more bloggers, including me.

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If you’ve come here from Allison’s home at The Golden Sycamore (the stop on the tour before mine), welcome! I am happy to have you here! After you’re finished scrolling through my space, be sure to click on the next blogger at the bottom of this post to continue on the tour.

Apartment Christmas Decorations:

If you follow Inspired by Charm, you’ll know that I’m decorating a new space this year. Back in June, life gave me a nudge to move from my big house in a small town to a smaller apartment in a big city. I loved decorating that house for the holidays, so this year has definitely been a transition (and challenge) for me. This also will probably be the first and last time I decorate this particular space for Christmas, and last year was the final time for me to decorate that large old house. (More bittersweet details on that loaded statement coming soon.) While I’m still tweaking my decor, there’s definitely holiday magic around these parts. Let me show you.

About a month ago I painted a navy accent wall in this room. That has helped to inspire the rest of the decor in the office, including the tree. From there, my Rustic Modern Christmas Tree seemed to invite the addition of red and burgundy touches for a holiday feel. You can check out that tree in all its glory here.

Behind my desk, I hung these bulletin boards to display work projects and decor. A letterboard spells out some of my favorite holiday movie characters.

On the opposite side of the room (which I don’t believe I’ve ever shared on the blog), I created a cozy nook for taking a break from work. I’ve furnished it with a love seat, leather chair, ottoman coffee table (which was repurposed from my previous home), and a big shelf for books and whatever else finds its way there.

Sidenote: I’ll do my best to link things in this post. I also recommend visiting SHOP IBC where you can get more links to some of my apartment furnishings and decor.

It’s been especially nice to have this extra seating area in my apartment. Blankets, pillows, and comfy furniture make it an ideal spot to read or relax for a bit. I just picked up a new bluetooth-enabled record player, so lately listening to holiday tunes on vinyl has added to the joy.

Not surprisingly, my kitties are digging this space. I was even able to incorporate my colorful DIY Christmas trees on the shelf you see above them. Remember those trees? You can learn how to make them here.

I also wanted to point out that fab red canvas. It’s from Lindsay Letters, whose artwork I love. Her pieces can always be found in my spaces.

More Apartment Christmas Decorations:

Transitioning to the living room: For my Christmas decor, I played off the green and blue color scheme I already had in place. I was pleased with how it worked out.

In addition to the Christmas tree (We’ll get to that in a second.), among my favorite new holiday decor items are these stained glass trees. I bought them back in October from CB2 when they first showed up on the site. I knew they’d be perfect in here.

I’m calling it my “Not-Coco-Chanel-Tree.” Why? Well, the famous designer Coco Chanel said something to the effect: “Before you leave the house, look in the mirror and remove one accessory.” With this tree, however, I took the opposite approach. It was as if the tree kept saying to me, “Heck no! I’m going to be my fabulous, over-the-top self. Add some more. Yes, more. Keep adding. One more thing. One more thing.” Crazy, right?

As a result, this tree is loaded with ornaments. I’m guessing there are 200+. It might be a bit difficult to see, but a ribbon is also tucked in there. (Speaking of ribbon, you can get my “How to Put Ribbon on a Christmas Tree” tutorial here.) And I finished this maximalist look off with a felt ball garland . . . just because. (The tree kept asking for more.)

I’m hoping to capture the details of this tree in additional photos that I’ll share soon in another post. Stay tuned!

On the opposite wall, I decided to have fun with this ceramic deer head I had in my B&B gift shop years ago. With branch antlers, ornaments, and a gold wreath, he’s my little touch of Christmas quirkiness. A must in my decor. My little gold Santa made a comeback too. I just love him.

Near the TV I installed a much-needed shelf for book storage, knick-knacks, and apparently, wine.

As you may already know, these little deer are precious to me. They belonged to my grandmother. They are especially meaningful this year because this will be our first Christmas without her.

Over in the kitchen, I brought in a few holiday flourishes as well. I’m doing my best to embrace these builder-grade cabinets. Festive touches. such as this canvas from Lily & Val (located here in Pittsburgh), make all the difference. (For those of you who might be wondering how I hang art on tile: I used these hooks from 3M. They work great for lightweight items.)

How cute are those vintage brass mice? Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.Though, it seems these two are after cake.

Little paper houses and bottle brush trees corralled on a tray and covered by glass domes add a bit of Christmas cheer to my dining table.

And finally, here is my bar cabinet dressed up for the season. This just might be my favorite vignette in the entire apartment. When I’m fretting about all the decor details, I look at this and immediately feel less stressed.

To put it together, I decorated my mirror with greens, added a trio of glass trees from HomeGoods, tucked in my trusty nutcracker (also a HomeGoods find), and finished it off with peppermint sticks.

And yes, there’s a tree in there. A small one. Thanks to gold sequin unicorn ornaments, it’s full of quirkiness, too.

Speaking of ornaments, the other ornaments on that tree are from Tree Hopper Toys. (You may remember them from my Christmas Tree last year.) They are also offering special savings to Inspired by Charm readers. Use the code “INSPIRED” to get 25% off their ornaments now through the end of the year.

And that’s a wrap for my Holiday Home Tour 2017.

I know this tour is a bit “different” from past years’. I’m struggling somewhat with that. I hope I didn’t disappoint, BUT I am hoping that 2018 will have me back in a homier home. Thanks to all of you for following along and sticking with me through the ebb and flow of life. Your kindness and support are priceless gifts.

During December, I plan to share more details about each of these spaces, including a full tour of my bedroom decor. If you’re new here, be sure to subscribe to the IBC Mailing List or follow me on social media (I recommend Instagram.) so you don’t miss a thing.

In the meantime, please continue on the Holiday Housewalk and check out the homes of my blogger friends. Their homes are stunning and inspiring in their own unique way. Up next on the tour is Jeanne Oliver. I always love what she does for Christmas. I’m sure you will, too. You can continue onto her home here.

Thanks for taking time out of your day to be with me. I hope you enjoyed your peek around my apartment and picked up a few ideas to create your own happy place for the holidays.

Merry Christmas! It’s Holiday Home Tour time. I’m so excited today to give you a peek into my new space and share some of the holiday magic I’ve whipped up. This year I’m participating in Jennifer Rizzo’s Holiday Housewalk. I believe she has been hosting this for seven years. This is my second year on […]

Your apartment decor and the holiday decorating look amazing!! You have done a wonderful job as always, no disappointment! Don’t be so hard on yourself, you are incredibly talented. I’ve been an avid reader for a few years and love seeing your new ideas. 😊

Simply amazing and you outdid yourself with this one. Dare I say that this tour might be my favorite yet?! I truly am “inspired by your charm” and your hard work does not go unnoticed. PS…I spy a fabulous collection of Harry Potter books on the shelves in your office! Hehe! 😉

Everything looks fabulous!!! But that tree…. you outdid yourself, it is stunning! Definitely gave me some inspiration to get started decorating, I have everything out of storage but haven’t started yet.

You are just the sweetest thing! I love all the touches, you make it seem so easy. Glad you’re heading back to a home next year and so sorry for your loss of someone who matters so much. My first year, I skipped the holidays almost altogether, so you’re in great shape. (Watch for signs, she’ll be with you always!)
You’re just an inspiring genius and so fun to watch!

Your holiday home is simply amazing. I love it at all!! I especially enjoy checking out all of the details. The little deer caught my eye immediately – so sorry for the loss of your grandmother – what a treasure to remember her by each holiday season.

I just adore you so much and have been following along for a few years now. I always wish wonderful things for you. I hope you find the perfect space in the coming year and I pray for amazing memories to fill your holiday season. I lost my grandma during the holidays and she was my mother figure. Every holiday tradition is hers and I smile over the joy and legacy she passed on. I’m sure you pass a bit of her on to all of us. Thank you.

Michael, this is a beautiful tour! I love the modern and vintage elements you brought together in such an elegant way. The trees are beautiful…and the photography is wonderful! I really enjoyed the tour! Bravo!

It is perfect Michael. Honestly the way you use color and texture and mix in wood and metal, older pieces and things from your grandma and just the right artwork – everything you do is so fresh and unique. I have been fascinated watching you put this space together and can’t get over how you have transformed that industrial looking apartment into such a warm cozy space. I have been following your blog and Instagram for a few years now, (and maybe reading between the lines) and I hope that your move to the city helped you to find some answers and make some things a little clearer about the next path to take in your life. Your honesty and vulnerability are endearing and just want to wish you all the best during the holidays and the coming New Year. I can’t wait to see what you do next.

Michael everything looks AH-MAZING!!! You manage to somehow have it look and feel so sophisticated but still warm and cozy. I can’t get over those gorgeous trees!! You are beyond talented and I’m so thrilled to be part of the housewalk with you again this year. Merry Christmas friend!

Yours is my favorite house so far! I will be sure to check in on your blog. It’s new to me. I really love everything about your Christmas decorating. It’s simple and cheery and not overdone, just like I prefer it. Great job!

Can I just say WOW! Your home is amazing and gives the true meaning of Christmas. Every little detail is a treasure for your eyes. I think your home is a breath of fresh air. I’m a little tired of all the farmhouse Christmas homes with so much stuff, it gives me a headache trying to process it all!!! You are a very gifted and talented young man, and I enjoyed your home tour! MERRY CHRISTMAS.

I’m speechless! Confession – I’ve been waiting all week for this post. I too am a long-time follower & you never fail to AMAZE me with your talents. Could I adopt you as a son? I know this year has been filled with A-LOT of soul searching, as well as transitions (small town to city, house to apartment, loss of your grandmother, and many feelings you’ve aluded to, yet kept private). Change is hard! But, you’ve finished this year with a holiday decor that’s STUNNING & many blogger friends who adore you.
As a late-60’s retired educator, I LOVE-LOVE-LOVE the new color combinations in your holiday decor. If I were younger I’d want to get rid of my typical red-green-white decorations & buy all new decorations in another color combination. But, that won’t happen so I will attempt to rearrange my decorations in an IBC style. I think I’ll move my baking to another day & spray paint a few items! Michael, you are so TALENTED! Thank you for “brightening” my blog-hop day!

Michael, I’ve got a sick feeling your old house is being sold. Say it ain’t so. I looooved that home. Your apartment is just beautiful and I love your style of decorating. It amazes me how you come up with all your ideas. If you want to come to Georgia and live with me you can decorate (and cook) to your heart’s content.

I love everything you have done. I wouldn’t get any work done in that office, I would just sit and stare at everything (while curled up on the couch with the cats!). I love the name board with the Christmas characters on it – what a great idea. And the deer head with the natural twigs for antlers – I will be hunting for one of those now. Your work is so inspiring. And I love a really decked out tree – I agree with you – more is better. My family says mine is getting too full, but I disagree and always find something new to add. Thank you for all you do, I so enjoy seeing it.

Perfection! I think this is my favorite home tour of yours to date! But of course I think that every year. You are just so good at what you do. I LOVE the “not Coco” tree. Absolutely stunning! And the letter board was so charming. I’m sorry this is your first Christmas without your Grandma; it’s my first Christmas without my PopPop so everything seems a little more heart touching if that makes sense. I can’t wait for you to update us on your cryptic comments, regarding last Christmas’s in the apartment and big house. Ahhhh what does that mean?  P.s. I bought the BHG Christmas magazine just because you are on the cover. It did not disappoint and yours is my favorite article! Thanks for being fabulous!

FAB FAB FAB!!!! Everything looks just wonderful…and festive but not trite. I love all the ways that you use color. Often, you use colors that aren’t at all my “likes” but when I see it I think–WOW! that looks great! So, keep up whatever you are doing to be so consistently dreative….and Merry Christmas!

I had a lot of fun seeing how you decorated your apartment! Different from past years, yes. But definitely not disappointing! Keep the Christmas spirit, loss and change can be hard, I know. Thanks for sharing your home with us.

Lovely as always. I really like this years decorations, I especially love the ceramic deer head. It adds just enough quirkiness to the room. I hope you are happy in your new home and that your new year and holidays are the best. One last question, where the heck do you store all the things you use in your décor? Take care.

Michael, welcome to Pittsburgh, and congrats on the BHG cover! I live in Edgewood in a 1900 house that requires more work than our budget will support, but it’s got great features (an amazing front porch, huge dining room, a laundry chute and a double lot, so lots of green space!) I love to decorate, especially for the holidays, and Jen’s Holiday Housewalk always provides inspiration! Wondering about using ribbon and garland on a tree? We cut a live tree – generally the fattest, fullest tree we can find! – and I’m going with a ‘felt and fabric” theme to accommodate a 10-month old grandson. I have 2 types of garland I plan to use – a cream felt holly garland from Crate & Barrel, and a cream knitted stand from PB. Is ribbon overkill? Perhaps I should save it for the Family Tree?

Finally got a minute to get over here and it was worth the wait. Love – the mice, the stain glass trees, all of the vignettes and trees – oh and the light in your apartment is epic. I hope you enjoy your Christmas in this space and home with your family. And I can’t wait to hear what is next!

This is all so beautiful, as always! I love the colours in your office. I love navy and the reds and burgundy’s you’ve added in there look fab 🙂 your blog is such an inspiration to me, so thank you! 🙂
Lianne | Makes, Bakes and Decor

Love how you turned the Harry Potter books backwards so the titles don’t distract from the rest of your decorations. And the Not Coco Tree works beautifully due to the minimal colors. Love all the neutrals with the touch of green.

I’m a relatively new reader to your blog (found you through the one room makeover challenge). You seem a bit melancholy today and it seems as though it may be over the size of the space that you are decorating. What I love about your blog is how it is joyful and that you find pleasure in the smallest of things. Your site is different and more enjoyable because of your happy personality and the way that you make things accessible. I’d eagerly follow you if you were living in a shoe box because you would make even that beautiful and you would have fun in the process. You are awesome and I hope that whatever struggles you may be having pass quickly.

your shares area always my favorite. you don’t skimp on cheer or quirk or warmth, and yet your spaces look clean and streamlined; that’s the best combination, and you’re amazing. and i really want to go shopping with you … you are a homegoods master. i just get overwhelmed by people and carts, and run away screaming.

Wow, Michael. I’ve been following you for several years, and I loved everything you did in your big house. But I have to say I’m AMAZED at all you’ve done in this apartment. It’s incredible that you’ve included so many beautiful Christmas pieces but nothing looks overdone (including that “maximalist” tree!) and not a single thing looks cluttered. Everything just looks as if it was designed with love, and I know that’s true. God bless you.

I am just now “touring” (does this tell you what a busy December I’m having?). Love it all and wonderful as always!!! EVERYTHING is my favorite!!! In your office there is a package on the nubby blue throw that features a buffalo checked snowflake ornament. I would like to incorporate those into a Tablescape I have in mind. Would you share your shopping source, please? Thank you, and have a blessed Christmas. So many of us are experiencing this year as a first Christmas without a loved one….lost my mother-in-law and an aunt in 2017. Precious memories help ease losses. Thanks for all the inspiration.

Micheal, loved what you did to your home. Your Christmas tree is amazingly beautiful. Thanks for making us part of your home tour.
I can see from your beautiful home decorating items that you are also fond of beautiful home decorations items like me. I have this salt lamp in my house which I could not see at your place, these lamps are incredibly beautiful and the orange yellow glow of these lamps make everything looks so gorgeous. I bought them from Saltean and I thought you would love them too.
Anyways, wishing you a wonderful Christmas and holiday season! <3